Fireplaces and wood burning stoves perform effectively if you frequently clean them or hire chimney cleaning services for this purpose. Furthermore, if cleaning of a wood burning stove is neglected, it could result in fire hazard due to the buildup of soot and creosote. This blog is to guide you how to clean a wood burning stove with its chimney pipe.
Planning And Inspection
You should make sure that you schedule wood burning stove. Clean it annually and inspect it once a month so you can clean or repair it if the condition demands.
Make Sure Your Wood Stove Is Burning Properly
For this, check the temperature of the stove. Inspect the chimney and see if there is smoke. Smoke coming out of wood stove’s chimney is a sign that it is running too cold. Smoke can also be a sign of improper wood stove installation.
To prevent creosote buildup, your stove should be running properly and at the optimum temperature. Check the owner’s manual of the stove to determine the temperature it should be burning at. Then to check the temperature, use a thermometer. If it’s burning at a lesser temperature, clean the stove or use a wood burning stove repair service.
Size Of The Chimney
Chimney has an important role in regulating the temperature of a wood burning stove. If it’s too small or has a wrong diameter, it will affect the performance of the stove. So, if you experience problems with smoke or excessive creosote, check the dimensions of the chimney.
Clean The Baffle
On top of the stove, there is a cast iron baffle. When the stove is cool, remove the baffle and clean ash from it. Let us tell you an easy hack to create an updraft in the chimney. Place a fan at the open side of the stove and let it run for 5-10 minutes.
Clean The Outdoor Part Of The Chimney
Now get to the roof with a ladder. Take the help of another person. Remove the chimney cap and clean the interior of the chimney with a chimney brush. The brush should be at-least six inches long. Move the brush in up and down and circular motion to clean the soot and creosote buildup. Clean the chimney cap and put back on after the sweep.
Clean The Indoor Part Of The Chimney
The indoor chimney is the pipe which is connected to the stove. Remove it and clean it thoroughly, and then put it back in its place. Clean anything else that is left.
Reasons To Clean Your Wood Stove And Chimney
Increase Heating Efficiency
A clogged chimney decreases the efficiency of a wood burning stove and produces less heat because there is insufficient amount of oxygen reaching the stove. When a chimney is clean, a clear passage for smoke and airflow improves the wood burning process.
Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, poisonous gas that is harmful for your health if inhaled for a longer period. Furthermore, carbon monoxide is a natural byproduct of burning and you need clean chimney to avoid carbon monoxide pushed back to your stove and into your home.
Prevent Smoke Problems
A clogged chimney or uncleaned chimney won’t provide a passage for smoke. Because of this, smoke will likely enter your home through the fireplace. Smoke is not as dangerous as carbon monoxide, but it is still harmful and unpleasant. Fortunately, smoke is easily noticeable. If you feel smoke in the house, clean the chimney and inspect the wood stove and chimney.
Avoid Chimney Fires
Wood burning produce creosote that is a highly flammable substance. If a chimney is not regularly cleaned, creosote will buildup and it can start a chimney fire, which can also damage many parts of a house.
Chimney Cleaning And Inspection
If you hire a chimney sweeper for cleaning of the chimney, you can also have them inspect the chimney to recommend repairs. You can avoid big problems with regular inspection and minor repairs.
Final Word
Cleaning your wood stove is easy and takes no more than 60 minutes. It is considered a good practice to get your wood stove and chimney cleaned by a chimney sweep service Upper Marlboro before the arrival of winter.
